Keyboard-cleaner



Lw. PENNEWILL.v

KEYBOARD CLEANER.

APPLICATION!4 FILED APR. 22, 1919 1,336,044. 'Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KEYBOARD- CLEANER.

Application led April 22, 1919.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES W. PnNNnWILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Silver City, in the county of Grant and State of New Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Keyboard- Cleaners; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, Such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved cleaning cloth, and contemplates moreespecially a keyboard cleaner for use in connection with adding, calculating, bookkeeping, typewriting and other forms of key-actuated machines.

The primary object of this invention is the production of cleaners composed of a series of flexible Strips adapted to be positioned between the several rows of keys and moved simultaneously against the sides of the key stems.

Another object of the present invention is the production of a multikey cleaning cloth comprising a series of flexible strips, united at their opposite ends by imperforate portions by means of which the cleaning cloth may be firmly gripped in the hands of an operator, pressed over the upstanding keys of a keyboard and moved back and forth upon the keyboard or base of the machine and against the side of the key stems for cleaning the same.

A further object of this invention is to produce a durable flexible keyboard cleaner possessing advantages of compact packaging, and capable of being manufactured at a relatively low cost.` With these and other objects in View the invention further consists in the arrangement and construction of the body portion of the cleaner and the series of intermediate flexible strips herewith described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment of my invention as used in connection with a series of keys.

Figure l is a top plan View of my cleaning cloth, illustrating diagrammatically in dotted lines a few keys of a keyboard.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the manner in which the flexible strips of this l Specifcatonof Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920. serial No. 291,999.

invention are flattened against the narrow Sides or edges of key stems when in use, and

Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the manner in which the flexible strips are flattened against the relatively wide sides or edges of the key stems.

The present invention has been designed to overcome certain difficulties now experienced in cleaning the keyboard or base and keys of a multikey actuated machine, wherein it has heretofore been customary to successively thread a cleaning cloth between adjacent rows of keys, and move the same back and forth. This has been found to be a tedious and protracted method, for the cloth must be threaded between adjacent rows of keys and in both directions, as will be understood.

lVith the present form of cleaner, the operator grips each end of the cloth pressing the series of strips between the keys, moving the same back and forth upon the bed of the machine, and in turn against the opposite Sides of the key stems by a slight pressure which causes each strip to flatten against the sides of the key stems as shown. After cleaning in one direction or longitudinally of the rows of keys, the cleaner is removed, and again pressed over the keys in the other direction, or transversely of the keyboard, whereupon it is again moved back and forth as heretofore described.

Referring to thedrawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, cleaner l comprises a body portion the opposite ends 2 of which are preferably imperforate and of a size Suiiicient to be conveniently gripped between the thumb and fingers of an operator. Intermediate these ends 2 of the cleaner a series of strips 3 are arranged and preferably formed integral therewith, as shown. It will be understood, however, that the said strips 3 may be joined together by separate end portions sewed or otherwise suitably secured to said strips.

As shown the strips 8 are relatively spaced apart a distance suiiicient to permit being pressed over the keys. The material of which the cleaner is composed may be any material possessing lubricant absorbing qualities and flexibility. Felt has been found to produce a serviceable cleaner possessing qualities of flexibility, lubrication, when saturated, and dust absorption. Various other materials, such as cloth, cheesecloth, canvas, cotton, linen, etc., may be used, and l do not, of course, limit myself.

In operation the cleaning cloth is preferably gripped at the ends 2 and pressed over the keys so that each strip 3 lies upon the base of the machine between two rows of keys. It is usual to first clean the case, by a back and forth motion, as will be readily understood. Each side of the respective rows of keys are then cleaned by pressing the cleaner against the key stems so that each strip 3 flattens against the side of the stems to be cleaned. back and forth motion serves to clean all of the respective sides of the stems simultaneously. The cleaner is then pressed against the opposite sides of the key stems and a like reciprocating motion imparted thereto, whereupon the opposite sides of the key stems are similarly cleaned.

Another method of cleaning the base of the machine and the key stems after pressing the cloth into position over the keys, consists in imparting to the cloth a continuous circular motion. This circular motion may also be combined with the back and forth motion to facilitate the cleaning operation. Obviously the ends 2 may also be utilized for cleaning other parts of the machine.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that a cleaner has been produced capable of simultaneously cleaning a multiplicity of keys and key stems in an eficient manner, and

with a minimum expenditure of time and effort. Y

Having thus described my present invention, what I now claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A keyboard cleaning cloth of the class described, comprising a series of flexible strips joined together at their ends and adapted to pass-over the, heads of a multiplicity of keys for simultaneously cleaning the same. Y

A keyboard cleaning Acloth of the class described, comprisingV a plurality of relatively spaced strips joined together at each end adapted to pass over the heads of a multiplicity of keys for simultaneously cleaning the same.

3. A keyboard cleaning cloth of the class described, comprising a plurality of relatively spaced flexible strips joined together by integral end portions adapted to pass over the heads of a multiplicity of keys for simultaneously cleaning the same.

In testimony whereof I vafliX my signature, in presence of two subscribing witnesses. JAMES WV. PENNEVILL Witnesses:

M. R. BUCHANAN, NANNIE MCCULLOCH. 

